Cheer Up

you're never alone.

"the weather is good here in England. the wind is cool and the air is fresh. I feel good but my heart keeps sinking. ahh..i miss mum." Edmund bit his lip as he looked around.
"sir, may I take your bag? where would you like to go? " a cab driver asked
" haha.. no it's alright. I.. uh have no idea where to go. I.. wait a second! " Edmund quickly got inside the cab and put his old Sim inside his phone and tried calling Tae on kakao. but the call couldn't go through.
" is everything alright? where should I take you?" the driver asked
"uh, I feel bad asking but can you lend me your phone I need to call someone in Korea. actually my grandfather lives here and I don't remember his address but if I can make this call, my friend will be able to help me. please? I'll pay for the call charges! " Edmund bowed
" oh.. sure, here you go. " the driver gave his phone to Edmund.

" EDMUND? " Tae shouted through the phone
" OH Tae! Tae can you hear me? listen.. "
" Edmund, did you reach safely? is everything alright? "
" oh Tae, everything is alright. listen, where are you right now? "
" me? I'm at your place, our helper said she'll clean it so I brought her here.. why do you ask?"
"oh! that's good, go inside my room, you'll find a green diary inside my drawer, do this much and then inform me on kakao, I'll be waiting. " Edmund said in the phone
" green? okay! " tae dropped the call.
" thank you so much for lending me your phone, how much should I pay you for the call? " Edmund asked
" it's okay. I did what I had to. I hope you can meet your grandfather. " the driver said as he put his phone back inside his pocket.
".. thank you."
*ring ring*
"tae? " Edmund picked the phone
" oh.. Edmund hyung.. I've taken the diary out.. are you.. perhaps.. trying to go to your grandfather? " Tae asked,
" that's right! did you find the address? I wrote it down two months ago when mum and Abba were talking..can you send the address to me? " Edmund asked
" sure. and hyung, don't expect too much. and don't get hurt, I do wish he meets with you and treats you well but don't get sad if he does otherwise. also, don't fight with him. just love him because your mum forgave him and she loved him. I'm going to hang up now, keep in touch and stay well! FIGHTING! " Tae said as he hung up.
Edmund nodded his head and smiled.." I'll do that.. " he whispered

" sir, here is the address! can you take me there? " Edmund showed Taes message.
" yes, I can do that." the driver smiled.

"actually my mum died a few weeks back. my Abba left me all alone. I.. just wanted to leave that place and I ended up coming here..." Edmund looked outside
the driver looked at him through the rear view mirror, Edmund caught him looking, "what is it?" Edmund asked
the driver shook his head and smiled
"ah! Abba means father. that must've confused you a little " Edmund said
" no, I know what it means, I call my father Abba and I used to call my mother ami, she died three years ago due to tb, my father underwent a heart surgery three months after her death. he couldn't do a lot work. I was a school teacher in my village, but the wage wasn't enough to buy my fathers medicine and my sisters school fee.. so I left Pakistan and came to England from my friends boss's help. the funny thing is, a taxi driver here earns more than a school teacher back in Pakistan. I miss my country. I'd do anything to go back. but I need to support my family.. " the driver smiled
Edmund straightened his back, " thank you.. for sharing that with me.. it makes me realize that everyone is going through a rough time.. difficulties and hardships. everyone has suffered and some are still suffering and I'm not alone in this world.." Edmund looked at him through the mirror
"you're never alone. Allah is always with you. Call upon Him and He will respond. everything will be alright. " the driver said, stopping the car," my name is Abdul Raffay, here is my card, I'll be a call away. " he handed Edmund his card.
" oh.. uh yes, thank you. thank you Abdul Raffay, my name is Edmund " Edmund got out and bowed
" Fi'Iman'Illah! " the driver replied and left.
Edmund was, somewhat, awe-stricken. he shook his head and turned around. he was now standing in front of a small rest area, " excuse me, where does Mr. Jameson Alford live? " Edmund asked, showing the address
" you're sir Alfords guest? please get in " the man opened the cars door, Edmund got in.
" we're now entering his house"
the man said as soon as a huge black gate opened.
all Edmund could see was trees and plants, and lush green gardens, after driving for two minutes, they reached the building
"woah, my grandfather has a fountain in his house? " Edmund whispered
" what? grandfather? haha.. how can that be? sir Alford had a daughter who died young, she wasn't even married. stop kidding around son. wait there. what's your name? " the man said, pointing at the fountain.
" Edmund! Edmund Lee "

" sir.. there is an Asian boy standing outside, his name is Edmund Lee. he.. claims to be your grandson. which can't be true, should I ask him to leave? " the man asked an old man who was sitting on a big chair in his sleeping gown, sipping coffee.
He suddenly got up.
" what? Edmund Lee? my.. grandson? where.. where is he..? is he.. alone? bring him in! bring.. him in.. " the old man seemed to have been hit with something heavy, he fell on his chair.
" sir are you alright? " the man asked
" I'm alright. bring the child inside.." he said lightly pushing the mans hands away from him.
"yes I'll bring him inside" the man left

"son! come inside. " the man shouted from the door, Edmund, who was playing with the carps inside the fountain water nodded and quickly picked his bag to go inside.